Academic Programs

Nursing, A.S. (Registered Nurse)

Nursing A.S. is designed for Licensed Practical Nurses who wish to obtain the Associate in Science Nursing Degree. It is an entrance point for mobility students who have graduated from another nursing program or have completed Minnesota West's Practical Nursing Program. After successful completion of the Nursing A.S. Program, students are awarded the Associate in Science (AS) Nursing Degree and are then eligible to take the NCLEX-RN examination. At this point, students are also eligible to articulate to BSN/BAN programs in the MnSCU system.

2014-2015 admission requirements include: licensed as an LPN, a minimum decision score of 80 on the NLN exam, a grade of C or higher in all required coursework, a minimum GPA of 2.5, and completion of the courses described below.

2015-2016 admission requirements include:

For Minnesota West Practical Nursing students applying to progress to the AS Nursing Program:

No grade lower than a C is accepted in any course required for the AS nursing program (including prerequisites).

Minimum decision score of 80 on the National League for Nursing (NLN) NACE I Foundations entrance exam. Applicants may only take entrance exam twice in an application period, one month apart. Entrance exam scores are valid for a two year period of time.

NURS 2000, Transition to Professional Nursing Education (1 credit), is required prior to entrance into Fall Semester nursing classes for students who have graduated from another nursing program or are returning to Minnesota West's Nursing Program.

The following course sequence is required for completion of this program. Only students who have been accepted into the Nursing program are allowed to take the nursing courses. The prerequisite courses shown must be completed before beginning the program.

Humanities: choose from the areas of art, literature, theatre, HIST 1111, HIST 1112, music, or any course with HUM designator.

AS nursing students are required to participate in the Kaplan Integrated Testing Program.

Required end of program assessment will include:

Completion of a Kaplan Integrated predictor exam prior to graduation

Completion of a Kaplan Review course prior to authorization to test for NCLEX-RN exam.

Clinical experiences are a part of the program and are completed locally in area healthcare facilities. On-campus and distance learning students need to be prepared to travel to local clinical sites as a program requirement.

Minnesota West Community & Technical College Associate in Science Nursing Program is accredited by: